World briefs

The mayor of Munich has tapped the first keg of beer to kick off the 179th traditional German folk festival Oktoberfest.

With only two blows of his hammer and a cry of “O’zapft is” – “It’s Tapped” – mayor Christian Ude inserted the first tap into the first keg as the festival opened yesterday morning.

More than six million guests from around the world are expected to descend on the beer tents of Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest until October 7.

Last year’s visitors consumed almost eight million two-pint mugs of beer.

Innocent Facebook party turns into riot

Police and prosecutors are investigating how rioting erupted after thousands of revellers descended on asmall Dutch town for a party that was inadvertently advertised on Facebook.

Authorities say 34 people were arrested overnight as rioters clashed with police in Haren, about 72km north of Amsterdam.

Mayor Rob Bats said yesterday: “Scum ran amok in our town.” Dutch media reported that the party was originally planned as a small celebration by a 16-year-old girl but her invitation went viral when she posted iton Facebook.

Some of the people arriving in Haren last night wore T-shirts emblazoned with ‘Project X Haren’, a reference to the film Project X that portrayed an out-of-control party.

Mr Bats said: “An innocent invitation on Facebook for a party led to serious rioting, destruction, plundering, arson and injuries in the middle of Haren.”

Pre-show parties for Emmy nominees

Kevin Costner, Amy Poehler, Bryan Cranston, Zooey Deschanel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other Emmy-nominated actors have celebrated their success at a series of parties around Hollywood.

Most began their evening at the Emmy Performers Nominee Reception at the Pacific Design Centre in Los Angeles.

The event saw nominees presented with certificates acknowledging their acting achievements. The nominated stars posed for a classphoto, with many proudly holding their certificates above their heads.

“This is like graduation,” said Elizabeth Moss, nominated for her work on Mad Men. “You get to meet so many people you might not get to see at the Emmys,” beamed the actress.

The Emmy Awards will be presented today at the Nokia Theatre.

Barack Obama’s baseball tip

President Barack Obama is offering his prediction for the upcoming baseball World Series.

Mr Obama said during a campaign stop in Virginia that he is “looking forward to a White Sox-Nationals World Series”. The President said: “It’s going to happen.”

The former Illinois senator is a long-time Chicago White Sox baseball fan but the Washington Nationals have been his local team since he moved to the White House.

Deaths in the Caribbean

A couple from South Carolina have been killed in the Dutch Caribbean country of St Maarten, police said.

The bodies of Michael and Thelma King were found intheir beachfront condominium, according to police spokesman Ricardo Henson, who said there were signs of foul play. He declined further comment.

Local restaurant owner Topper Daboul said he was a friend of Michael King andthat they were building a rum factory together.